2.

1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

Student should be able to:

 Describe center of gravity

- Centre of gravity
- Centre of gravity of regular and irregular objects
- Stable and unstable equilibrium

Centre of Gravity

The centre of gravity of an object is the point where the whole weight of the object acts or seems to
acts.

Regular shape Irregular shape

Example:

Draw line to show

the centre of
gravity of shapes
below

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 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

Stability Stability is the position of the centre of gravity of an object affects

If an object is in equilibrium, i.e., if it is balanced, then if a force is applied to the

object it will either tilt, tip over or roll
There are three types equilibrium

a) stable equilibrium b) unstable equilibrium c) neutral equilibrium

 it tilts and then falls
back to the original
position
 the centre of gravity is
raised as it is tilted
(it rolls) the centre
 the centre of gravity is
of gravity stays at
lowered as it is tilted
the same level if it
and then falls over
is pushed

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 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

Name: Marks

Group Code: Date:

Topic : Equilibrium of rigid body

1 Which of the following containers shown below is 5 A 10 kg box, a 20 kg box and a 30 kgbox are
more stable given that the density of the liquid is stacked up. Which of the following combinations
much higher than the density of the container? will be most unstable.

2 The diagram below shows the position of the 6 A uniform rod is held vertically as shown. Where
centre of gravity of each standing lamina. Given should the rod be held such that when it is
that the laminas have the same weight, which of slightly displaced, it drops to another position?
the lamina shown below is the most stable.

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 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

3. A kite hangs freely on the branch of a tree as 7 Which of the following book shelves is the most
shown. Which pointy is possibly the centre of the stable?
gravity of the kite?

4. A box is balanced at the edge of a table as shown. 8 Which of the following book shelves is the most
Which point is possibly the centre of gravity of the stable?
box?

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 2.1 Equilibrium of Rigid Body 2016

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